Building block laying device



A118. 1953 D. JOSEPH 2,648,218

BUILDING BLOCK LAYING DEVICE Filed Aug. 1, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. DA V/D JOSEPH ATTORNCYS Aug. 11, 1953 D. JOSEPH 2,648,218

' BUILDING BLOCK LAYING DEVICE Filed Aug. 1, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. DA VID JOSEPH MZMQZQ Patented Aug. 11, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BUILDING BLOCK LAYING DEVICE David Joseph, IIackensack, N. J.

Application August 1, 1950, Serial No. 176,967

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a building block laying device.

Building construction involving the laying of concrete and cinder blocks presents the problem of properly positioning the blocks on a wall and is now done by hand, each block being handled individually. As the height of the wall increases, the task of raising the blocks from the ground to intermediate elevations on scaffolds and thence to the wall requires handling the same, usually heavy, blocks many times.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a device that will decrease the labor requirement in the construction of walls with building blocks.

A further object is to provide a device that will lighten the work of the stone mason.

Another object is to lessen the cost of construction with building blocks.

Other objects of the instant invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the attainment of these objectives, the building block laying device is made in four embodiments, two of which are designed for the straight course work intermediate the corners and two for the building up of the corners. In the first embodiment, the device is constituted of a form designed to carry a plurality of blocks end on end, properly spaced from each other and n from the footing or the previously laid course. The top and bottom of the carrier are open, the blocks resting on two longitudinally disposed members which are transversely movable for the release of the has been filled with blocks and raised and positioned. The second embodiment is like the first except means are provided to facilitate the transverse displacement of the bottom members releasing the blocks and an independent means for positioning the loaded device properly above the layer of cement is also provided. The third and fourth embodiments differ from the first two in that a specially designed form is used for building up the corners of the walls. The third and fourth embodiments differ from each other in the provision made for positioning the blocks at the apex of the right angle form, it being necessary for successive layers of blocks at the corners to be overlapped or locked.

The invention will appear more clearly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example the preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

blocks after the device In the drawings:

Figures 1 through 4 show the first embodiment of the building block laying device constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1 but on an enlarged scale; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the left end of the device shown in Figure 2, also enlarged.

Figures 5 and 6 show the second embodiment of the building block laying device and in which;

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the device; and

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Figure 5 with the center portion broken away.

Figures 7 and 9 show the third embodiment of the building block laying device for corners and in which;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the device; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view along 9-9 of Figure 7;

Figures 8 and 9 show the fourth embodiment of the building block laying device for corners and in which;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the device; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view along 9-9 of Figure 7, Figure 9 in both cases being identical.

Referring now in greater detail to the first embodiment of the building block laying device for straight course work shown in Figures 1 through 4, reference numeral l0 indicates the device, and II the suspension means for the device.

The building block laying device ii] is constituted of the side members I2 and I3 which are maintained in spaced parallel arrangement at a distance equal to the width of a building block by the screws 14 inserted through aligned openings at each end of the side members and secured by the nuts as illustrated. To maintain the side members under outwardly directed tension, a spiral spring l5 (Fig. 3) is placed around the screws and between the side members as further illustrated.

From the lower edge of each side member are the outwardly extending channel-shaped supports I6 and I! and Mia and [la secured by any suit able means to the side members l3 and I2, respectively, in spaced relationship adjacent the ends thereof as shown in Figure 2. The main vertical portions of the channel-shaped supports are outwardly offset at the bottom from the plane of the top to provide a space for the transverse movement of the later described longitudinally disposed bars l8 and [9. The outwardly offset portions are again turned at the bottom to provide a support on the previous course of blocks and alignment therewith as most clearly shown in Figure 3.

The inner surfaces of the opposed side members have formed thereon the similar spacers 23, spaced apart a distance greater than the length of the block with the spacers or separators on each opposed surface in aligned relationship.

Through aligned openings in the outwardl offset portions of the supports l6 and I! are similar screws or transverse members 2! (Fig. 3) held in place by the nuts '22.

slidable on the transverse members 2! at each end of the device I are the bars l8 and I9, previously mentioned. The bars [8 and [9 may be of circular cross section, as illustrated, with a diameter sufiiciently less than the height of the offset portion of the supports [6 and I! to permit the reciprocal movement of each bar from a position between the side members into the adjacent expanded area provided by the offsets. The bars [8 and [9 further have inserted in the bottoms thereof at each end similar downwardly directed eyes 28 and 29 which maintain the bars slidable on the transverse members 2|. In addition, each bar may be provided at each end with the integrally formed or otherwise attached rims 2E and 21 to aid in the proper positioning of the bars within the side members.

Around the side members and under the bars l8 and H! are flexible chains 23 at each end of the device. Anti-friction eyes 24 disposed at the top of each side member together with the rotors 25 maintain the chain in position, bind all parts together when lifted as shown in Figure 4 by the suspension means H, and furnish a convenient means for quickly releasing the blocks located between the separators of the opposed side members when raised to the required position on the wall.

The second embodiment of the building block laying device shown in Figures and 6 is similar to the device previously described except that handle means 30 is provided intermediate the inner bars 3! and 38 for moving the bars 35, 31, 38 and 39 transversely, the bars being provided with rollers or spheres 40 to facilitate the transverse movement against the weight of the building blocks resting thereon, and a rectangular frame 45 which is used in combination with the device to aid in positioning the blocks on the wall.

The second embodiment of the building block laying device shown in Figures 5 and 6 is constituted of the spaced side members 3| and 32 which are held in spaced parallel arrangement a distance equal to the width of a block by bolts and nuts and springs for outwardly directed tension in the same manner as that previously described for the side members of the first embodiment. Also like the first embodiment, the opposed surfaces of the side members have aligned spacers for each end of the blocks, the distance between each pair of aligned spacers being greater than the length of the blocks.

Differing from the channel-shaped supports at each end of the side members of the first embodiment, the device of the second embodiment has the downwardly directed and outwardly extended flanges 33 and 34 of right angle shape disposed at the bottom of each side member. The flanges 33 and 34 are continuous along the side members as distinguished from the spaced supports [6 and I1, and I611 and [la of the first embodiment, and protrude beyond the ends of the side members 3| and 32 for the insertion of similar screws or transverse members 35 at each end, held in place by nuts as illustrated and transversely slidable on which are the four bars 36, 31, 38 and 39 which may be elongated members of circular cross section, Any suitable means may be used to make the bars slidable on the screws, the means illustrated being eyes fastened in the ends of the bars. Each outer bar 36 and 39 may be attached by any suitable means to the adjacent inner bar 31 and 38, respectively, so that the later described handle member 30 may be used to move each pair of bars transversely without complicating the design. On each bar are the similar rotors or spheres 40 located between the spacers for the ends of the blocks, the axis of rotation of the rotors being identical with the longitudinal center line of the bar on which mounted. Any suitable means may be used for attaching the rotors to the bars and for maintaining them longitudinally fixed with the outer cylindrical surface of each rotor protruding slightly relative to the contiguous surface portion of the bar. The function of the rotors is to reduce the friction between the bottom of the blocks and the bars when the bars are moved out from under the blocks for the release thereof.

The handle member 33 is constituted of the jaw members 4| and 42 having the closed slots around the pivotal mounting pin 43 as shown, the pin being held by a transverse member 44 secured between the side members 3| and 32 in such a manner that the side members ma still be moved toward and away from each other in the manner previously described, the manner illustrated being a longitudinal slot in the transverse member. The weight arms of the jaw members 4| and 42 are pivotally connected to the bars 31 and 38 so that as the power arms are moved further apart the bars 38 and 3'! are moved outwardly into the channel-shaped supports provided by the flanges 33 and 34, respectively, to release the cement blocks from the form. Of course, as the power arms are brought together, all of the bars will be moved inwardly by reason of the fact that each outer bar is tied to the adjacent inner bar as previously explained.

Coacting with the block laying device of the second embodiment is a positioning frame 45 formed with spaced parallel side members 48 and 49 and end members and open top and bottom. The spaced parallel side members may extend above the end members, the latter being designed to rest upon the preceding course of blocks while guides 46 and 41 parallel to the spaced side members and fastened by any known means between the end members are designed to be positioned over the outside surfaces of the blocks of the lower course as illustrated. The spaced side members 48 and 49 provide rests or a base for the bottoms of the angular flanges 33 and 34 which are turned for fitting thereover as illustrated.

In the third embodiment of the building block laying device for the corners of the wall and shown in Figures 7 and 9, reference numeral 66 indicates the outer right angle side member, and SI the inner right angle side member, each leg of the two side members being maintained in spaced parallel arrangement in a manner later described. Alon the bottom edges of each side member are the outwardly and downwardly directed right angle flanges 62 and 63, respectively, attached in any suitable manner to form a separate outwar-dly extending channel-shaped support extending from the lower edge of each side member, and with the portions of the flange 62 adjacent the apex of the right angle removed as illustrated. The bases of the flanges are further turned as illustrated to coact with a suitable positioning frame as in the case of the second embodiment. Alon gthe opposed surfaces of each leg of the right angle form are the aligned spacers or separators M and 85 for the ends of each block, also previously described. It will be noted that the spacers 64 and 55 are positioned from the apex of the triangle in the vertical portion of the device of Figure 7 a distance greater than the length of one block while the first spacers in the horizontal portion are in the plane of the inner Side member of the vertical portion extended or a distance equal to the width of one block.

Maintaining the spaced side members in parallel arrangement are the screws at in the plane of the separators so as not to interfere with the blocks when the bars 58 and 69, later described, are moved transversely out of the way.

The bars Gil and 89 are similar members of circular cross section and in any event with open ends transversely slidable on the screws or transverse members 6'! by the eyes (Fig. 9) fastened to the rods by any suitable means.

The fourth embodiment of the building block laying device for the corners of the wall shown in Figures 8 and 9, is similar in all respects to the device of Figure '7, previously described, except that the spacers 64 and 65 in the vertical portion of the device are aligned with the inner wall ll extended while the similar spacers in the horizontal portion are positioned a distance from the outer wall 12 of the vertical portion a distance greater than the length of one block, that is the reverse of the spacing described in the third embodiment.

In operation, assume that the footing has been placed and the problem is to lay the first course of blocks, the device 10 of the first embodiment is loaded with cement blocks and raised by the lifting device ll atttached to a derrick or the like to the laying position, a layer of wet cement having already been prepared for the reception of the blocks. The device is lowered by the derrick on the wet cement layer and the bars l8 and i9 moved from under the blocks by any suitable lever inserted in the open ends thereof. With the blocks in the cement, and the form moved out of the way by the derrick, the blocks are leveled in the cement layer, more cement placed between the spaced ends and troweled. The next step may be building up the corners, which is accomplish-ed by the use of the corner laying device of Figure '7. Blocks are inserted between the separators and a derrick lifts the blocks over the corner, the first row of blocks already having been provided with a layer of cement, and the positioning frame installed. Lowering the device over the cement with the aid of the rectangular frame which provides for the proper positioning of the blocks above the cement layer, a bar inserted in the open ends of first one and then the other of the bars as and 69 will force the bars out from under the blocks which come to rest in the wet cement layer. The blocks are then leveled both horizontally and vertically and more cement placed between the opposed ends of the blocks and troweled. The next row of blocks on the corner must have the corner member overlapping the corresponding block previously set which isthe function of the corner laying device shown in Figure 8. Of course, any number of blocks can be accommodated in the forms. The form shown in the second embodiment by Figures 5 and 6 is operated .in the same manner as the form of the first embodiment except that handle members 30 aid in moving the bars out of the way of the blocks when the device is in proper position. Likewise the rotors 40 on the bars aid in this movement. In addition, the form of the second embodiment is designed for use with the rectangular frame 45, previously mentioned.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact disclosure herein described but may lend itself to a variety of expressions within the scope of the appended claims.

The term block is to be understood as including bricks, stone and any other suitable building elements.

What is claimed is:

l. A building block laying device for receiving a plurality of blocks, said device comprising two parallel side members forming a receptacle, a separate outwardly extending channel-shaped support extending from the lower edge of each side member, a pair of spaced bars longitudinally disposed at the bottom of said receptacle and adapted to move outwardly into said channelshaped supports to clear said side members, whereby blocks contained in said receptacle may be lowered, and means for holding said bars in closely spaced relationship to form a bottom for said receptacle, whereby blocks may be inserted into said receptacle and transported by said device.

2. A building block laying device for receiving a plurality of blocks, said device comprising two parallel side members forming a receptacle, a separate outwardly extending channel-shaped support extending from the lower edge of each side member, a pair of spaced bars longitudinally disposed at the bottom of said receptacle and adapted to move outwardly into said channelshaped supports to clear said side members whereby blocks contained in said receptacle may be lowered, means for holding said bars in closely spaced relationship to form a bottom for said receptacle whereby blocks may be inserted into said receptacle, and a chain slidably disposed around the side members and the spaced bars adjacent each end thereof whereby blocks inserted into said receptacle may be transported.

3. A building block laying device for receiving a plurality of blocks in combination with a frame for the positioning of the device on a wall, the building block laying device comprising two parallel side members forming a receptacle, a separate outwardly extending channel-shaped support extending from the lower edge of each side member, two pair of bars longitudinally disposed at the bottom of said receptacle and adapted to move outwardly into said channel-shaped supports to clear said side members whereby blocks maintained in said receptacle may be lowered, means for holding said bars in closely spaced relationship to form a bottom for said receptacle whereby blocks may be inserted into said receptacle, handle means intermediate the innermost bars for manipulating said bars in and out of said channel-shaped supports, and a chain slidably disposed around the side members and the spaced bars adjacent each end thereof whereby blocks inserted into said receptacle may be transported; the frame for positioning the device on a wall comprising two parallel frame side members and two parallel end members, said members being secured together along abutting ends and the upper edges of said frame side members being extended above said end members, the bottom of each of said channel-shaped supports interlocking with the upper edge of one of said side members, and guide means depending from said end members for positioning said frame channel-shaped supports of the receptacle on the wall, and means for positioning the side members of the positioning device on the wall for the release of the blocks in the receptacle at the desired location.

4. A building block corner laying device for receiving a plurality of blocks, the laying device comprising an outer right angle side member and an inner right angle side member forming a receptacle, a portion of the outer right angle side member on opposite sides of the apex being removed, a separate outwardly extending channelshaped support extending from the lower edge of each side member, a bar longitudinally disposed at the bottom of said receptacle in each leg of the right angle receptacle and adapted to move outwardly into said channel-shaped supports to clear said side members whereby blocks contained in said receptacle may be lowered, means for holding the bars intermediate the side members to form a bottom for said receptacle whereby blocks may be inserted into said receptacle and transported by said device, and means coacting with the channel-shaped supports for positioning the corner laying device on a corner of the wall.

DAVID JOSEPH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,054,635 Cagnassi Feb. 25, 1913 1,573,263 Madden Feb. 16, 1926 1,736,812 Youngblood Nov. 26, 1949 

